Inside the Headset with the AFCA

American Football Coaches Association
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Inside the Headset with the AFCA takes you in-depth with interviews, career breakdowns, and coaching development with football coaches around the country.

  1. 2 hr ago

    Tony Kunczewski, Head Coach - Berry

    On this episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Tony Kunczewski, Head Football Coach at Berry College. Coach Kunczewski discusses the experiences that shaped his coaching career, from wearing multiple hats early on to building football programs from the ground up. He shares lessons on leadership, perseverance, staff development, and creating a culture that produces sustained success. Throughout the conversation, Coach Kunczewski reflects on overcoming adversity, learning from mentors, evaluating coaches and players, and how his philosophy has evolved throughout his time as a head coach. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:38a29832-50a1-4da3-9f94-acb7510ae473-4" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:38a29832-50a1-4da3-9f94-acb7510ae473-4" data-testid= "conversation-turn-10" data-turn="assistant"> Follow Coach Kunczewski and Berry Football: X: @BCCoachK | @BerryFootball Follow Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm on your favorite podcast platform for new episodes every week featuring football coaches from across the profession. AFCA membership is open. Join the American Football Coaches Association for year-round coaching education, networking opportunities, and exclusive resources at AFCA.com.

    44 min

  2. 25 Jun

    Deke Adams, Defensive Ends - West Virginia

    On this week's episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Deke Adams, Defensive Ends Coach at West Virginia University. Coach Adams shares his coaching journey through multiple levels of football and reflects on the experiences, relationships, and family support that helped shape his career. From his early days in the profession to coordinating at the FCS level and coaching in Power Four football, Coach Adams discusses the lessons learned along the way and offers valuable advice for coaches navigating their own career paths. Throughout the conversation, Coach Adams talks about the importance of mentorship, building strong professional relationships, embracing challenges, and remaining committed to growth throughout a coaching career. Inside the Headset is the official podcast of the American Football Coaches Association, featuring conversations with coaches from every level of football. Each episode explores leadership, career development, coaching philosophy, and the stories behind the profession. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and never miss an episode. For more information on the American Football Coaches Association, visit AFCA.com. AFCA Membership opens July 1. Join the AFCA to connect with coaches from across the country and gain access to valuable professional development resources and networking opportunities.

    1hr 6min

  3. 24 Jun

    Ryan Fitzpatrick | Coaches, Quarterback Development, and the Future of Football Training with Crucible

    On this episode of AFCA Studio, former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick joins AFCA Director of Education Mario Price to discuss the coaches who influenced his football journey, the lessons he learned during a 17-year NFL career, and how those experiences helped inspire the creation of Crucible. Having played for nine NFL organizations and learned under numerous offensive coordinators, Fitzpatrick developed a unique perspective on quarterback development, football intelligence, and the importance of decision-making. Now, through Crucible, he is helping quarterbacks at every level gain meaningful mental reps and improve their ability to process information quickly and efficiently. During the conversation, Fitzpatrick shares how coaches impacted his career, why mental repetitions are critical for quarterback growth, and how technology can help players continue their development outside of practice.

    25 min

  4. 18 Jun

    Joe Battaglia, Head Coach - Lock Haven

    On this week's episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we're joined by Joe Battaglia, Head Coach at Lock Haven University. Coach Battaglia shares the leadership and business lessons he has applied throughout his coaching career, discusses the value of professional development, and reflects on the journey that led him to become the head coach at Lock Haven. During the conversation, Battaglia details his experiences as a young coach working his way through the profession, including stops at Temple and Georgia Tech. He discusses the challenges of transitioning into larger roles, lessons learned as a first-time coordinator, and the importance of building strong relationships throughout a coaching career. He also explains the impact the AFCA 35 Under 35 program had on his development and why he encourages young coaches to pursue opportunities that help them grow as leaders.

    57 min

  5. 11 Jun

    EJ Barthel, Running Backs - Nebraska

    On this week's episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we're joined by EJ Barthel, Running Backs Coach at Nebraska. In this conversation, Coach Barthel reflects on his unique path through the coaching profession, from working in recruiting and player personnel to coaching running backs at the collegiate and NFL levels. He discusses the lessons he learned from legendary coaches, the evolution of recruiting, the development of a personal coaching philosophy, and the importance of embracing challenges throughout a coaching career. Coach Barthel also shares insights into player development, talent evaluation, building relationships with student-athletes, and Nebraska's commitment to building a physical, productive run game. Additionally, he offers advice for young coaches looking to break into the profession and explains why growth often comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone. Follow Coach Barthel and Nebraska Football here: @Coach_EJBarthel & @HuskerFootball Be sure to follow Inside the Headset on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review—it helps other coaches discover the show. We release new episodes every week, so be sure to follow and never miss an episode. Find all episodes and platform links here: https://linktr.ee/insidetheheadset

    57 min

  6. 4 Jun

    Peter Davila, Defensive Coordinator - Keiser

    On this week's episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we're joined by Peter Davila, Defensive Coordinator at Keiser University. In this conversation, Coach Davila shares the journey that has shaped his coaching career, discussing how purpose, perseverance, and professional development have guided him through opportunities at multiple levels of football. He reflects on the mentors who impacted his growth, the challenges of balancing coaching and family life, and the lessons learned throughout his career transitions. Coach Davila also provides insight into his first experience as a defensive coordinator at Keiser University, discussing leadership, staff development, and the importance of embracing new challenges. The episode concludes with advice for coaches navigating their own careers and seeking to maximize every opportunity in the profession. Follow Coach Davila and Keiser Football here: 📲 @CoachDavila 📲 @KeiserFootball Be sure to follow Inside the Headset on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review—it helps other coaches discover the show. New episodes drop every week, so hit that follow button and never miss a conversation. Find all Inside the Headset content here: https://linktr.ee/insidetheheadset For more information on joining the American Football Coaches Association, visit afca.com. Show Notes 1:09 Introduction 1:21 When did you know you wanted to become a part of the coaching profession? 2:09 How did the culture of being a player help you as a coach? 4:29 How did you get your first coaching opportunity? 7:20 Was there anything in 1998 that made you reconsider the profession? 8:40 How do you navigate coaching while raising a family? 10:32 What made you coach high school football on the side? 12:36 How did you navigate returning to coaching with a pay decrease? 15:43 How did you reintegrate yourself into coaching in 2011? 17:37 Why pursue professional development opportunities with the NFL? 20:32 What did it mean to have mentors invest in your development? 22:24 Does the care factor still resonate at the highest level? 24:31 What was your transition to Otterbein like? 26:26 Why was that opportunity the right fit? 28:05 What led to the opportunity at James Madison? 29:28 What stood out from the interview process? 33:03 How did you establish yourself in one place for the first time? 35:49 What were the benefits of changing positions at Albany? 38:09 What challenges have you faced as a first-time defensive coordinator? 42:24 What was the thought process behind coaching the defensive line? 46:25 What advice would you leave for coaches navigating their careers? 49:40 Closing

    52 min

  7. 28 May

    Joey McGuire, Head Coach - Texas Tech

    On this week's episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we're joined by Joey McGuire, head coach of Texas Tech Red Raiders football. In this conversation, Coach McGuire discusses his path from Texas high school football to becoming the head coach at Texas Tech, the mentors who shaped his coaching philosophy, and the lessons learned while building successful programs at Cedar Hill and Baylor. He also shares insights on leadership, recruiting, player development, culture building, and navigating adversity throughout his career. Follow Coach McGuire and Texas Tech Football here: @JoeyMcGuireTTU & @TexasTechFB Be sure to follow Inside the Headset on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share the show with another coach. We drop new episodes every week. Find us here: https://linktr.ee/insidetheheadset For more information on joining the American Football Coaches Association, visit afca.com.

    1hr 10min

  8. 21 May

    Bobby Wilder, Head Coach - Tennessee Tech

    On this week's episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we're joined by Bobby Wilder, head coach at Tennessee Tech. In this conversation, Coach Wilder reflects on his coaching journey, building and leading programs, developing team culture, and adapting through change. He also shares lessons on leadership and what it takes to guide coaches and student-athletes at a high level. Follow Coach Wilder and Tennessee Tech Football here: @CoachWilderTTU & @TNTechFootball Be sure to follow Inside the Headset on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content. If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a like and leave a review—it helps others discover the show. We drop new episodes every week, so hit that follow button and never miss a moment. Find us here: https://linktr.ee/insidetheheadset

    55 min
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About

Inside the Headset with the AFCA takes you in-depth with interviews, career breakdowns, and coaching development with football coaches around the country.

Information

  • Creator
    American Football Coaches Association
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Inside the Headset with the AFCA

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